Foldable wagon

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a foldable wagon having a base and side panels around the base to define an open top enclosure. The side panels being a left side panel, a right side panel, a front panel, and a back panel all placed on the base and all are approximately perpendicular to the base. The front panel is hingedly attached to the left side panel while the back panel is hingedly attached to the right side panel. A safety lock is located at a junction between two adjacent panels for securing the adjacent panels together. A locking bar is attached to the base for securing the wagon in a folded or unfolded position, wherein the foldable wagon folds and unfolds without a fastener and wherein the foldable wagon folds and unfolds without removing or adding any of the panels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a foldable wagon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional wagons or other wheeled transport vehicles, such astrailers, generally transport objects from one location to another andare usually used to loads that may be heavy, large, or bulky. A wagon orwheeled transport vehicle normally has a flat bed, sidewalls or panelsto help maintain the load on the flat bed, and wheels.

When not in use for transporting objects, wagons or other wheeledtransport vehicles are generally difficult to stow away since mostwagons or wheeled transport vehicles are bulky and take up room.

A possible solution to the above-noted problem is a foldable wagon. U.S.Pat. No. 1,820,466 to Lieblein relates to a foldable wagon but does notappear to have a locking mechanism that secures the wagon in both thefolded and unfolded positions. Without a locking mechanism, the wagonmay be accidentally unfolded and present a walking hazard. Moreover, itseems fasteners are needed to fasten the side panels in the unfoldedposition and that they need to be removed in order to commence folding.Such removal and reattachment of fasteners may be cumbersome and in theevent they are lost or misplaced, the use of the foldable feature may becompromised.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,558,909 to Partiot is directed to a foldable wagon butdoes not seem to have side panels on the two sides of the wagon thatfold because side panels may prevent the wagon from folding. Withoutside panels, objects may fall out of the wagon. Moreover, there does notappear to be a locking mechanism that secures the wagon in both thefolded and unfolded positions.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,995 to East relates to a foldable wagon but alsoseems to require the side panels be separated from the base and wheelsbefore being folded. Moreover, the side panels do not seem to befastened to the base in a secure manner, which may result in accidentalseparation of the side panels from the base. If the side panels areindeed secured to the base, it seems fasteners are needed and, in thefolded state, the fasteners are removed which could lead to them beingmisplaced.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,682 to Lee relates to a wagon that folds along itslength but does not seem to have any locking devices for securing thewagon in the folded or unfolded state. Also, the wagon does not seem tohave any side panels because the panels may prevent the wagon fromfolding.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,134 to Dodson relates to a wagon that folds but alsoseems to require that the side panels and wheels be removed in order forthe wagon to be folded.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,796 to Solomon relates to a telescoping wagon withextendable side panels but does not appear to relate to a foldablewagon.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,695 and 4,887,836 to Crowell and Simjian relate toa wagon with foldable side panels. However, these references do not seemto relate to a wagon that folds for adjusting the width or lengthwherein the floor space taken up by the wagon is reduced.

What is desired, therefore, is a foldable wagon that takes up less floorspace when in the folded position and has side panels on all sides ofthe wagon that do not need to be removed in order for the wagon totransform to the folded position. Another desire is a foldable wagonwith a safety mechanism for securing the wagon in either the folded orunfolded position. A further desire is a foldable wagon that does notrequire the use of fasteners that must be removed and reattached becausethese fasteners may become lost or misplaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a foldable wagonthat may be stowed away in a manner that reduces floor space.

It is another object to provide a wagon that folds and unfolds withoutattaching or removing side panels or fasteners.

A further object is a wagon is securely held in a folded position orunfolded position.

Yet another object is a wagon that folds and unfolds easily and quickly.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a foldablewagon having a base and side panels around the base to define an opentop enclosure. The side panels being a left side panel, a right sidepanel, a front panel, and a back panel all placed on the base and allare approximately perpendicular to the base. The front panel is hingedlyattached to the left side panel while the back panel is hingedlyattached to the right side panel. A safety lock is located at a junctionbetween two adjacent panels for securing the adjacent panels together. Alocking bar is attached to the base for securing the wagon in a foldedor unfolded position, wherein the foldable wagon folds and unfoldswithout a fastener and wherein the foldable wagon folds and unfoldswithout removing or adding any of the panels.

In some embodiments, the locking bar is pivotably attachable to the basein a first location for securing the base in a folded position and in asecond location for securing the base in an unfolded position.

In some embodiments, the safety lock is a front lock located at ajunction between the front panel and the right side panel for securingthe front panel to the right side panel, wherein the safety lock helpsmaintain the base in an unfolded position and, when removed, the frontpanel is free to be folded against the right side panel.

In other embodiments, the safety lock is a rear lock located at ajunction between the rear panel and the left side panel for securing therear panel to the left side panel, wherein the safety lock helpsmaintain the base in an unfolded position and, when removed, the frontpanel is free to be folded against the right side panel.

In further embodiments, the front panel and right side panel each havean extension with a hole, where both holes align with one another in anaxial direction. The front lock includes a rod that extends through bothholes to lock the extensions and therefore the front panel and rightside panel together.

The foldable wagon may have a base with a left length, a middle length,and a right length. In some of these embodiments, a first hinge isplaced between the left side panel and the left length; a second hingeis placed between the left length and the middle length; a third hingeplaced between the middle length and the right length; and a fourthhinge placed between the right length and the right side panel.

The foldable wagon also includes at least one wheel attached to thebase.

In another aspect of the invention, the front panel further includes aprotrusion and the base includes a recess, wherein the protrusion isplaced within the recess for securing the front panel to the base. Infurther embodiments, the base has a first recess for securing the frontpanel to the base in an unfolded position and the base has a secondrecess for securing the front panel to the base in a folded position.

Conversely, in other embodiments, the front panel further includes arecess and the base includes a protrusion, wherein the protrusion isplaced within the recess for securing the front panel to the base.

Optionally, the foldable wagon includes a container attached to thelocking bar for holding items. In other optional embodiments, a cupholder is pivotably attached to the left side panel or the right sidepanel and a toy holder is pivotably attached to the back panel or frontpanel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the foldable wagon in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an underside of the foldable wagon shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the safety locks of the foldable wagon shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 a-4 b depict a folding process of the front and back panels ofthe foldable wagon shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 a-5 c depict a folding process of the base of the foldable wagonshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a locking bar securing the foldable wagon shown in FIG. 1in a folded position.

FIG. 7 depicts a container attached to the foldable wagon shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 8 depicts a toy holder attached to the foldable wagon shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict foldable wagon 20 in accordance with the invention.Wagon 20 includes base 30 having left length 32, middle length 34, andright length 36. Wagon 20 also includes left side panel 50, right sidepanel 60, front panel 70, and back panel 80, all of which are placed ontop of base 30 and are all approximately perpendicular to said base 30and together with base 30 define a compartment into which objects may becarried.

As shown, front panel 70 is hingedly attached to left side panel 50 andback panel 80 is hingedly attached to right side panel 60. Hinge 78 isany known or novel hinge for permitting rotation of a panel about theaxis defined by front panel 70 and left side panel 50 or back panel 80and right side panel 60, including a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flushhinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous or piano hinge, doorhinge, cabinet hinge, hinge with bearings, and the like.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, wagon 20 includes locking bar 90for securing wagon, and more specifically base 30, in a folded position(see FIG. 6) and in an unfolded position (see FIG. 2). As shown in thesefigures, head 92 of locking bar 90 is placed in unfolded notch 94, whichis located on a bottom surface of base 30, for securing wagon 20 in anunfolded position. Locking bar 90 may be pivoted about axis 96 locatedon a bottom surface of a panel to commence the folding process, which isexplained in more detail below. Once the folding process results in theposition of wagon 20 shown in FIG. 6, locking bar 90 is placed in foldednotch 98, which is located on a bottom surface of an opposite panel.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a, front lock 110 is located at a junctionbetween front panel 70 and right side panel 60 for securing front panel70 to right side panel 60. By securing front panel 70 to right sidepanel 60, front panel 70 is inhibited from rotating about hinge 78,where front panel 70 being removed from extending across a width of base30 permits base 30 to commence folding. Hence, front lock 110 is used tosecure front panel 70 to right side panel 60 to help maintain base 30 inan unfolded position and, when removed, front panel 70 is free to befolded against left side panel 50. Because front lock 110 is relativelylarge in comparison with fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, and screws,front lock 110 is less likely to be misplaced or lost. In furtherembodiments, front lock 110 is attached to wagon 20 via string or chainsuch that when removed front lock 110 is still attached to wagon 20.

Alternate locking means for front lock 110 or locking bar 90 include afastener, rivet, screw and nut, nail, hook and loop closing mechanism,tape, adhesive, interference fit, and the like.

Rear lock 114 is located at a junction between back panel 80 and leftside panel 50 for securing back panel 80 to left side panel 50. Similarto front lock 110, rear lock 114 inhibits back panel 80 from beingrotated about hinge 78. Hence, rear lock 114 is used to secure backpanel 80 to left side panel 50 to help maintain base 30 in an unfoldedposition and, when removed, back panel 80 is free to be folded againstright side panel 60. Rear lock 114 and front lock 110 have the samelimitations as one another and for the purposes of simplicity, frontlock 110 is described in greater detail below but it is understood thatsuch descriptions apply to rear lock 114 as well.

Front lock 110 is shown in FIGS. 3-4 b to have rod 112, which passesthrough hole 74 of extension 72 of front panel 70 and hole 64 ofextension 62 of right side panel 60. As shown, extension 72 of frontpanel is placed above extension 62 of right side panel but otherembodiments place extension 62 of right side panel 60 above extension 72of front panel. All that is needed is for each hole of each extension tosubstantially align so that rod 112 may be placed through both holes,the result being a front panel 70 being secured to right side panel 60.The alignment between the holes need not be coaxial but need only besubstantially close together such that rod 112 may pass through both ofthem. Optional stopper 113 is placed in notch 63 to inhibit rotation offront lock 110. In further embodiments, front lock 110 has head 111 thatis generally round, in which case stopper 113 would be obviated. In afurther embodiment, optional grip 118 is placed on either front lock110, rear lock 114, or both for providing enhanced friction and preventslippage between a user's hand and front lock 110 and/or rear lock 114.

With the exception of the safety locks, or front and rear locks 110 and114, foldable wagon 20 folds and unfolds without a fastener. Moreover,wagon 20 folds and unfolds without removing or adding any of the panels.

As shown in all the figures, wagon 20 further includes handle 122pivotably attached to base 30 for maneuvering wagon 20. The design ofhandle 122 should be sized to fit between left side panel 50 and rightside panel 60 when wagon 20 is in the folded position shown in FIG. 5 b.Since many designs of handle 122 are possible and may also fit betweenleft side panel 50 and right side panel 60, the embodiment shown shouldnot interpreted to be a limitation of wagon 20.

In some embodiments, nub 152 and orifice 154 are provided for lockinghandle 122 in a folded position. As shown in FIG. 5 b, nub 152 islocated on handle 122 and orifice 154 is located on handle base 38. Whenhandle 122 is brought to the position shown in FIG. 5 c, nub 152 fitssnugly within orifice 154 to lock handle 122 in a folded position.

As shown in all figures, at least one wheel 18 is connected to base 30for maneuvering wagon 20. Although wheels 18 proximate to front panel 70are shown to be rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to base30 and wheels 18 proximate back panel 80 are rigidly attached to base 30where no rotation occurs about an axis generally perpendicular to base30, further embodiments have all wheels 18 be rotatable about an axisgenerally perpendicular to base 30. In other embodiments, all wheels 18are rigidly attached to base 30 with no rotation about an axis generallyperpendicular to base 30.

In some embodiments, two wheels 18 are used in the front or back ofwagon for enhancing structural integrity. In further embodiments, wheelshaft 19 is attached to a side panel (whether right side panel 60 orleft side panel 50) or base 30 by bracket 76 and fasteners 77, such asbolts, rivets, nuts, and screws. Bracket 76 is any structure thatfacilitates securement of wheel shaft 19 to base 30 or a side panel,such as a C shaped plate. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, cover 79 is placedover bracket 76 to enhance the aesthetic appearance of wagon 10 byhiding bracket 76 and fasteners 77. By covering fasteners 77, cover 79reduces the likelihood of fasteners snagging clothing or injuring auser. Cover 79 includes protrusion 83 for snapping into groove 85 of theside panel to secure cover 79 in place.

In reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 a-5 c, foldable wagon 20 furthercomprising first hinge 41 placed between left side panel 50 and leftlength 32; second hinge 42 placed between left length 32 and middlelength 34, third hinge 43 placed between middle length 34 and rightlength 36; and fourth hinge 44 placed between right length 36 and rightside panel 60.

To fold wagon 20 from the unfolded state, and referring to FIG. 2,locking bar 90 is rotated about pivot or axis 96, resulting in head 92of bar 90 being removed from unfolded notch 94. Referring to FIG. 3,front lock 110 and rear lock 114 are removed, which permits a user tofold or rotate front panel 70 and back panel 80 about their respectivehinge 78. After rotation, front panel 70 would be folded against leftside panel 50 and back panel 80 would be folded against right side panel60 (see FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 5 a).

Without folding or rotating front panel 70 or back panel 80 againsttheir respective side panels, base 30 would not be able to commencefolding as shown in FIG. 5 a. It should be noted that protrusions 82 infront panel 70 are used to secure front panel 70 to base 30 in theunfolded state by being placed in first recesses 84. First recesses 84are located on upward walls 33, 37 of left length 32 and right length36, respectively. See FIGS. 4 a-4 b. Additionally, middle length 34 hasprotrusion 35 that is placed within recess 88 of front panel 70 forsecuring front panel 70 to base 30. When in the folded state (shown inFIG. 6), each protrusion 82 is placed in a respective second recess 86in base 30. Without second recesses 86, protrusions 82 would get in theway and inhibit the folding process.

In reference to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, a user lifts middle length 34upwardly, which would cause left length 32 to rotate in a clockwisedirection shown in FIG. 5 a and right length 36 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 5 a. By rotating, left length32 rotates about first hinge 41 such that left side panel 50 is broughtagainst left length 32. Left length 32 also rotates about second hinge42 such that middle length 34 is generally perpendicular to left length32. Further, right length 36 is rotated about fourth hinge such thatright side panel 60 is brought against right length 36. Right length 36also rotates about third hinge 43 such that middle length 34 isgenerally perpendicular to right length 36.

It is understood that all pivot points, axes of rotation, or hingesdescribed herein include the same limitations as hinge 78 describedabove. It should also be understood that back panel 80 has the samelimitations as front panel 70, including having protrusions andrecesses. Similarly, base 30 has the same limitations in the area ofback panel 80 for mating with back panel 80 as base 30 does in the areaof front panel 70, as described above, including having similar recessesand protrusions in the area of back panel 80 for mating with theprotrusions and recesses of back panel 80. Handle 122 may also be foldedby being pivoted around axis 124.

Optionally, and shown in FIG. 7, another embodiment of locking bar 90′is shown to be a frame to receive container 126 by sliding container 126along rails 128 of locking bar 90′. Container 126 is used to hold itemsand the user may access the items in container 126 by sliding it in andout along rails 128.

In another optional embodiment shown in FIG. 3, cup holder 132 isattached to pivot 134 so that cup holder 132 may folded against eitherleft or right side panel 50. 60 when not in use. In addition to orinstead of cup holder 132, FIG. 8 depicts toy holder 142 placed againsta side panel opposite cup holder 132. Toy holder 142 would becollapsible by being folded about midpoint 144 on both sides of toyholder 142 and where the bottom unsnaps on one side and pivots aboutaxis 146. By being collapsible, toy holder 142 may be stowed away whennot in use.

In some embodiments, toy holder 142 is a collapsible box in similarfashion to cardboard packing boxes so that it may be folded against leftor right side panel 50, 60. It should be understood that cup holder 132or toy holder 142 may be attached to back panel 80 or front panel 70 inaddition to or instead of either side panel.

1. A foldable wagon, comprising: a base having a left length, a middlelength, and a right length, said left and right lengths being hingedlyconnected to said middle length such that said left and right lengthsmay be pivoted downwardly relative to said middle section; a left sidepanel hingedly attached to said left length of said base; a right sidepanel hingedly attached to said right length of said base a front panelhingedly attached to one of said left side panel and said right sidepanel; a back panel hingedly attached to the other of said left sidepanel and right side panel; a handle hingedly attached to said middlelength, said handle having a width; one or more wheels mounted to eachof said left side panel and said right side panel; said foldable wagonbeing positionable in an unfolded state with said left length, middlelength, and right length of said base aligned to form a generally planarsurface, and said left and right side panels extending generallyupwardly from said base, and said front and rear panels positionedbetween said left side and right side panels and extending generallyupwardly from said base; means for locking said front panel in locationbetween said left and right panels when said base is in an unfoldedstate; means for locking said back panel in location between said leftand right panels when said base is in an unfolded state; said foldablewagon being positionable in a folded state with said left length andright length of said base pivoted downwardly from said middle length,and said front and rear panels extending generally parallel to said leftside and right side panels, and said left side and right side panelspivoted to extend generally upwardly from said base; a locking barhingedly attached to one of said left side panel and said right sidepanel having means for engaging with the other of said left side paneland said right side panel for securing said wagon in a folded state,said locking bar being engageable with said middle length of said basefor securing said wagon in an unfolded state.
 2. The foldable wagonaccording to claim 1, wherein said front panel further includes aprotrusion and said base includes a recess, wherein said protrusion isplaced within said recess for securing said front panel to said base. 3.The foldable wagon according to claim 2, wherein said base has a firstrecess for securing said front panel to said base in an unfoldedposition and said base has a second recess for securing said front panelto said base in a folded position.
 4. The foldable wagon according toclaim 1, wherein said handle width is less than a distance between saidleft side panel and said right side panel when said wagon is in a foldedstate and wherein said handle can be pivoted to a location between saidleft side panel and said right side panel.
 5. The foldable wagonaccording to claim 1, wherein said wheels comprise a pivoting frontwheel mounted on each of said left side panel and right side panel, anda fixed rear wheel mounted on each of said left side panel and rightside panel.
 6. A foldable wagon, comprising: a base; a left side panel,a right side panel, a front panel, and a back panel all placed on saidbase and all approximately perpendicular to said base; said front panelis hingedly attached to said left side panel; said back panel ishingedly attached to said right side panel; a safety lock located at ajunction between two adjacent panels for securing the adjacent panelstogether; and a locking bar attached to said base to secure the wagon ina folded or unfolded position; wherein the foldable wagon folds andunfolds without a fastener; and wherein the foldable wagon folds andunfolds without removing or adding any of said panels.
 7. The foldablewagon according to claim 6, wherein said safety lock is a front locklocated at a junction between said front panel and said right side panelfor securing said front panel to said right side panel, wherein saidsafety lock helps maintain said base in an unfolded position and, whenremoved, said front panel is free to be folded against said right sidepanel.
 8. The foldable wagon according to claim 6, wherein said safetylock is a rear lock located at a junction between said rear panel andsaid left side panel for securing said rear panel to said left sidepanel, wherein said safety lock helps maintain said base in an unfoldedposition and, when removed, said front panel is free to be foldedagainst said right side panel.
 9. The foldable wagon according to claim6, wherein said front panel and said right side panel each have anextension with a hole, where both holes align with one another in anaxial direction, and wherein said front lock is a rod that extendsthrough both holes.
 10. The foldable wagon according to claim 6, saidbase having a left length, a middle length, and a right length.
 11. hefoldable wagon according to claim 10, further comprising a first hingeplaced between said left side panel and said left length; a second hingeplaced between said left length and said middle length; a third hingeplaced between said middle length and said right length; and a fourthhinge placed between said right length and said right side panel. 12.The foldable wagon according to claim 6, further comprising a wheelattached to said base.
 13. The foldable wagon according to claim 6,wherein said locking bar is pivotably attachable to said base in a firstlocation for securing said base in a folded position and in a secondlocation for securing said base in an unfolded position.
 14. A foldablewagon, comprising: a base having a left length, a middle length, and aright length; a left side panel, a right side panel, a front panel, anda back panel all placed on said base and all approximately perpendicularto said base; said front panel is hingedly attached to said left sidepanel; said back panel is hingedly attached to said right side panel; afront lock located at a junction between said front panel and said rightside panel for securing said front panel to said right side panel,wherein said front lock helps maintain said base in an unfolded positionand, when removed, said front panel is free to be folded against saidright side panel and said base is free to be folded between adjacentlengths; a rear lock located at a junction between said rear panel andsaid left side panel for securing said rear panel to said left sidepanel, wherein said rear lock helps maintain said base in an unfoldedposition and, when removed, said front panel is free to be foldedagainst said right side panel and said base is free to be folded betweenadjacent lengths; and a locking bar attached to said base for securingsaid base in a folded or unfolded position; wherein said base and saidpanels fold without a fastener and without removing or adding any ofsaid panels or lengths.
 15. The foldable wagon according to claim 14,wherein said front panel further includes a protrusion and said baseincludes a recess, wherein said protrusion is placed within said recessfor securing said front panel to said base.
 16. The foldable wagonaccording to claim 15, wherein said base has a first recess for securingsaid front panel to said base in an unfolded position and said base hasa second recess for securing said front panel to said base in a foldedposition.
 17. The foldable wagon according to claim 14, wherein saidfront panel further includes a recess and said base includes aprotrusion, wherein said protrusion is placed within said recess forsecuring said front panel to said base.
 18. The foldable wagon accordingto claim 14, further comprising a container attached to said lockingbar.
 19. The foldable wagon according to claim 14, further comprising acup holder pivotably attached to said left side panel or said right sidepanel.
 20. The foldable wagon according to claim 14, further comprisinga toy holder pivotably attached to said back panel or said front panel.